§ Mr Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what support is given by his Department to the Family Heart Association; and if he will take steps to encourage within the National Health Service the same type of testing for hyperlipidaemia and related matters as that which is currently taking place in the House of Commons.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Department recognises the good work being carried out by the Family Heart Association. On 27 April, I opened an exhibition in the House to promote its current activities.
Hyperlipidaemia is an inherited condition causing an increase of heart attack, and sometimes stroke, at an early age. It is for the clinicians responsible for the case of such patients to initiate whatever tests they consider appropriate but there is no professional or scientific consensus on the need for general population screening at this time.